PSOne mod: Day 1
A few people know of my PSOne mod. It's sort of unique, I'm using a broken PSOne with a working PSOne screen to provide power and RGB video input for a PSTwo, as well as be a screen stand (the screen won't stand up on its own).
RGB video is the highest quality analog video, so the PSOne screen's picture will look really damn sharp, much moreso than composite video (the yellow plug, aka "A/V"). And, the power will let me power both the PSOne screen and the PSTwo from a single PSOne power adapter, including a car adapter (my main reason for doing this mod, I already own this adapter anyway). This could be useful for not just PS2/PSX gaming, but DVDs in the car, and using homebrew to play videos, for emulators, etc. (this is really nice since homebrew can run from USB instead of from disc, resulting in less heat being generated, and a system less prone to damage).
I can also have a compact unit to play on in general, needing only one plug going to the wall. Useful for downtime when traveling.
So here's what I've done today:
-Disassembled PSOne.
-Removed RF shielding and CD laser.
-Removed power switch, to prevent PSOne from powering on (otherwise it would draw more power, and cause interference).
-Determined how power and RGB video cables will be routed inside PSOne (dry-fit).
-Repaired cold solder joint on PSOne's DC power plug.
-Determined exact locations of DC power and ground on PCB. Determined which wires in RGB cable correspond with RGB signals on PS2 Multi-A/V connector.
-Soldered on PSOne DC power cable to dead PSOne. Tested with wall power adapter.
--Result: PSTwo would not power on from standby.
---Obviously, there was not enough amperage to power the PSTwo.
---The additional length of cable is definitely to blame. If you align the PSTwo, and the PSOne screen, so as to (precariously) insert the PSOne screen's power plug into the PSTwo, and then plug in the PSTwo's video into the PSOne's composite-in, it works fine, other than being at an unplayable angle.
-Removed PSOne DC power cable, soldered on 16AWG speaker cable of same length, with original PSOne power cable's plug at the end. Tested with wall and car power adapter.
--Result (wall adapter): PSTwo would power on with screen not powered on. With screen powered on, PSTwo would only leave standby for a few seconds.
--Result (car adapter): PSTwo would power on with screen on! But, PSTwo would not power on with disc. Basically all you could do is copy memory card saves in the car.
---The car power adapter is much bigger and heavier than the wall adapter (it's a fullblown transformer I think), and though both are rated for 3A, I think the car adapter works more efficiently since it's a DC->DC conversion.
What else needs to be done?:
-Solve power issue.
-Wire in RGB video input. Right now the screen is being run from the PSTwo's composite video, it's blurry and washed out.
-Secure cables inside PSOne for strain relief. Although, my power connection is very secure.
-Eventually, make proper connectors for PSTwo's power and video, rather than hardwired cables.
Solving the power issue:
-Remove about 1ft of power cable.
--This will give it the bare minimum length of cable needed to position PSTwo in car in passenger footwell. This should eke out a few more mA.
-Maybe if that won't work, cut power cable to bare minimum length needed to position PSTwo right under PSOne.
--This produces a few problems:
---PSTwo doesn't grip car center console very well and would need to be specially secured
---PSOne doesn't grip PSTwo very well and would need to be specially secured
---Both PSTwo and PSOne would have to be placed in front passenger's lap for front passenger play (dangerous for PSTwo, since PSTwo produces heat).
-Also this may be worth doing: remove fluorescent lights and inverter, and replace with LEDs.
--This is said to remove ~400-500mA.
--This produces a few problems too:
---Screen is dimmer and less evenly lit than with original lighting
---Extensive modding of screen is needed (I risk screwing up the screen, whereas the broken PSOne can't get any worse).
RGB video is the highest quality analog video, so the PSOne screen's picture will look really damn sharp, much moreso than composite video (the yellow plug, aka "A/V"). And, the power will let me power both the PSOne screen and the PSTwo from a single PSOne power adapter, including a car adapter (my main reason for doing this mod, I already own this adapter anyway). This could be useful for not just PS2/PSX gaming, but DVDs in the car, and using homebrew to play videos, for emulators, etc. (this is really nice since homebrew can run from USB instead of from disc, resulting in less heat being generated, and a system less prone to damage).
I can also have a compact unit to play on in general, needing only one plug going to the wall. Useful for downtime when traveling.
So here's what I've done today:
-Disassembled PSOne.
-Removed RF shielding and CD laser.
-Removed power switch, to prevent PSOne from powering on (otherwise it would draw more power, and cause interference).
-Determined how power and RGB video cables will be routed inside PSOne (dry-fit).
-Repaired cold solder joint on PSOne's DC power plug.
-Determined exact locations of DC power and ground on PCB. Determined which wires in RGB cable correspond with RGB signals on PS2 Multi-A/V connector.
-Soldered on PSOne DC power cable to dead PSOne. Tested with wall power adapter.
--Result: PSTwo would not power on from standby.
---Obviously, there was not enough amperage to power the PSTwo.
---The additional length of cable is definitely to blame. If you align the PSTwo, and the PSOne screen, so as to (precariously) insert the PSOne screen's power plug into the PSTwo, and then plug in the PSTwo's video into the PSOne's composite-in, it works fine, other than being at an unplayable angle.
-Removed PSOne DC power cable, soldered on 16AWG speaker cable of same length, with original PSOne power cable's plug at the end. Tested with wall and car power adapter.
--Result (wall adapter): PSTwo would power on with screen not powered on. With screen powered on, PSTwo would only leave standby for a few seconds.
--Result (car adapter): PSTwo would power on with screen on! But, PSTwo would not power on with disc. Basically all you could do is copy memory card saves in the car.
---The car power adapter is much bigger and heavier than the wall adapter (it's a fullblown transformer I think), and though both are rated for 3A, I think the car adapter works more efficiently since it's a DC->DC conversion.
What else needs to be done?:
-Solve power issue.
-Wire in RGB video input. Right now the screen is being run from the PSTwo's composite video, it's blurry and washed out.
-Secure cables inside PSOne for strain relief. Although, my power connection is very secure.
-Eventually, make proper connectors for PSTwo's power and video, rather than hardwired cables.
Solving the power issue:
-Remove about 1ft of power cable.
--This will give it the bare minimum length of cable needed to position PSTwo in car in passenger footwell. This should eke out a few more mA.
-Maybe if that won't work, cut power cable to bare minimum length needed to position PSTwo right under PSOne.
--This produces a few problems:
---PSTwo doesn't grip car center console very well and would need to be specially secured
---PSOne doesn't grip PSTwo very well and would need to be specially secured
---Both PSTwo and PSOne would have to be placed in front passenger's lap for front passenger play (dangerous for PSTwo, since PSTwo produces heat).
-Also this may be worth doing: remove fluorescent lights and inverter, and replace with LEDs.
--This is said to remove ~400-500mA.
--This produces a few problems too:
---Screen is dimmer and less evenly lit than with original lighting
---Extensive modding of screen is needed (I risk screwing up the screen, whereas the broken PSOne can't get any worse).